We’ve often heard of names like Samsung and Apple being tossed about in the smartphone world. And rightly so, seeing as they make up 80% of the Top 10 smartphone list of February 2014. This isn’t surprising news since nearly everywhere you go, people are using either an iPhone or one of the Galaxy S Series.

What IS surprising, however, is that little-known Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone brand, is also on that same list, which was compiled by Hong Kong-based Countertop Technology Market Research and based on mobile phone sales.

Not only did Xiaomi surpass expectations by being in the same pool with Samsung and Apple as seen above, but it was also rated as the third most innovative company in the world, making it official that Xiaomi is swimming with other big fishes such as Google, Bloomberg, and Nike.

This, therefore, is enough to prove that despite being a product from China, it defeats the stereotype of poor quality China-made products and has now emerged as a highly recognized and affordably priced global product.

Lei Jun, founder of Xiaomi, prices the company’s phones at almost a third of the price of Apple products, which is claimed to be just above their costs. Since they mainly market their products via the Internet and e-commerce, a lot of traditional marketing and distribution costs are reduced. In order to earn more profit, they rely on software sales instead of hardware sales. This has proven to be quite a rewarding strategy.

Not too long ago early this year, Xiaomi’s Mi 3 was released in Singapore, and apparently sold out in merely two minutes during online flash sale.

Image credit: Softpedia

It would seem like the brand has plans to continue to expand across Asia as it has been announced that the Xiaomi’s Mi 3 will officially set foot in Malaysia today.

The 16GB version of the MIi3 will be sold via Xiaomi’s website for RM889 (about $277) unlocked. Also, buyers will receive a brand new Malaysian-themed skin along with the shipment of the phone.

The MI 3 is praised for its 2.3GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB RAM, 5″ Full HD IPS display, and 13MP camera with dual-LED flash. Besides its light weight of 145 grams, its aluminium-magnesium alloy frame which is only 8.1mm thick is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Image credit: Soyacincau

Also, according to Hugo Barra, the VP of Xiaomi, Xiaomi’s Redmi 1S which is an improved version of the Hongmi will be launched in Malaysia this coming June. Xiaomi also hopes to be able to reach the Indian, Russian, Turkish, and Mexican smartphone market by end of this year.

With its low pricing, sleek design, and high-end specs, this goal is highly attainable.